First Place, Playoff-Bound Cannons Face Rattlers

Defending the net for 10 games this season, Jordan Burke has been unstoppable. Helping the Cannons grab first place and hold onto it for the season, Burke has stopped a total of 159 shots, placing him in front of the league with a .621 save percentage. With his 24-save performance this past weekend against Hamilton, Burke also earned Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time this season; the first being against Long Island, his other career-high 24-save performance.

The Cannons seem to have it covered on both ends of the field as attackman Kevin Buchanan tallied 5 points on 4 goals and one assist against Hamilton, earning him MLL Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career. Buchanan also made the game winning goal against the Denver Outlaws (6-5) on July 30, clinching a berth in the playoffs this season.

All around, the Boston Cannons (8-3) have played well, utilizing their veteran knowledge along with their rookie talent. To end the 2011 regular season schedule, the Cannons will return home to Harvard Stadium to face the Rochester Rattlers (2-9). Despite an exciting two-game win streak against the Outlaws, the Rattlers fell out of playoff contention.

Rochester’s Ned Crotty has had a stand-out season and is currently leading the league with 45 points in 11 games. He is also tied for first with 19 assists and sits in second with 26 goals. Aside from Crotty, the Rattlers’ John Galloway has stepped up in goal as a rookie this season. In 9 games, Galloway has saved 128 shots for a .536 save percentage this season.

In this game, Crotty and Paul Rabil will be fighting for the league scoring title. Rabil currently sits one point behind Crotty with 44 points this season in 10 games played. He also has one less goal than Crotty, but has three 2-point goals to Crotty’s zero. Matt Poskay is ahead both players in goals with 28 this season, leading the league but nowhere near his unbelievable 45 goals in 2010.

With the regular season coming to a close on August 13th, the Boston Cannons will present team awards on field following the game. These awards include Most Valuable Player, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Rookie of the Year and the 11th Man Award.

The Cannons will move on to the Sports Authority Championship Weekend in Annapolis, Maryland on August 27th and 28th at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. They will play at 12:00 PM EST on August 27th in the first semi-final match of the day. With a win, Boston will move on to the championship game on August 28th at 3 PM EST.